Our purpose is to provide the highest quality of education to all pupils within the context of Christian belief and practice.

The Christian ethos is at the very heart of the school which ensures that the traditional Christian values of respect, compassion and self-discipline are linked to the aspiration that every single pupil reaches their potential. We offer a balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils through academic and vocational pathways. We expect excellence in all subject areas and all other aspects of school life. We are proud to be a school of high aspiration and high achievement. Learning is quite rightly given prominence here. The quality of teaching matters and our recent awards, commendations and the Christian aspects of the school are celebrated in our denominational inspection of March 2019.

This is our School Vision

Faith

The Christian faith forms the cornerstone of everything that we do here at Archbishop Temple.  Decisions are made based on our Christian principles which recognise the value of all members in our community, irrespective of their faith.  We believe that ‘God created mankind in his own image’ (Genesis 1:27) and as such strive to fully develop all our pupils and staff in order for them to let their light shine.  Our faith in God enables us to realise that ‘all things are possible’ (Mark 10:27) and so we believe that we should never give up on ourselves or each other. 

Our faith is expressed and developed through regular prayer.  We punctuate the days and seasons with opportunities for collective worship recognising that, ‘The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.’  (Psalm 145)

God’s light shines most brightly through grace.  This message underpins all our Christian teaching showing that Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12) died and rose to freely give salvation to anyone who turns to him (John 3:16).

Nurture

We strive to nurture each person’s God given talents and gifts encouraging everyone to ‘have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10) on this earth and in eternity.  We are passionate about recognising the importance of all members of our community and understand that by working together and supporting each other we are able to make an impact for the good: ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another.’  (Hebrews 10:24). 

Nurturing each other means that there will be opportunities to be part of celebrating great achievements for our pupils; it will also mean that there will be more difficult times when members of our community will need supporting (Romans 12:15).  We will remember that all members of our community are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and that, ‘above all, [we should] love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.’  (1 Peter 4:8-11). 

Service

As a community we recognise the importance of serving others, both those within our school, within our local community and the wider world.  We believe that ‘whoever wants to be great must become a servant’ (Mark 10:43), and this transforms lives for the better.  We recognise that serving others is an opportunity to put our faith into action: ‘Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’ (James 2:17) and through good deeds we have the opportunity to glorify God.    

Throughout school pupils will get a variety of opportunities to serve; for example, through supporting charity events and through taking on roles of responsibility.  Pupils will be encouraged to think about the different ways in which they can carry out good deeds and become independent in the ways that they do this: ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’  (1 Peter 4:10)

Our Principles and Values

  • We treat each other with trust and dignity and we expect all in the school to value each other’s rights and beliefs.
  • We support and care for pupils with special educational needs.
  • We educate all pupils in accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum.
  • We seek to instill in pupils a sense of excitement and curiosity about learning.
  • We prepare pupils for the world of work, and for life in the community beyond school.               
  • We provide a supportive and stimulating environment in which all staff can grow and gain a sense of fulfilment.
  • We strive to preserve and develop the religious character of the school.
  • We encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith.
  • We promote Christian values through the experience offered to all pupils.
  • We build and maintain links with the primary schools from which our pupils come, and with the educational institutions to which pupils may go.